[too afraid to ask] Are leveling kits the new body lift?

[ATLBronco75]

I've been out of the 4x4 game for ~20 years but back then we used to make fun of people that only had a body lift. Yeah they could run bigger tires but they didn't increase suspension travel or change spring rates/dampening.

When I look at the "leveling kits" and the spacer lifts it just looks like body lifts all over again. What am I missing?

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[rutherk1]

At the end of the day you just need more fender clearance to put bigger tires on. A body lift will get you that and a spacer lift will get you that. Both are not the right ways to do it but will allow for a larger tire.

For IFS, an engineered suspension system that takes into account steering, suspension, CV axle, geometry is the best way to go.

As for the new body lift. I would say yes. Both cost effective ways, but greatly different methods, to put a bigger tire on.

Spacer lifts would be less of an issue on front/rear straight axle trucks.

 

[LMF Bronc]

Spacer lifts reduce ride quality and stress parts. Body lift doesn’t hurt anything other than giving you a slightly higher center of gravity.

 

[Werkedperformance]

While my popcorn is heating up:

You guys debate spring perch vs strut top spacers .....

 

[ATLBronco75]

While my popcorn is heating up:

You guys debate spring perch vs strut top spacers .....

Obviously the answer is neither, just buy coilovers.

 

[edgeflyer]

Mechanically, a body lift is far superior.

 

[ilbastarge]

While my popcorn is heating up:

You guys debate spring perch vs strut top spacers .....

I'll share!

 

[webspoke]

Obviously the answer is neither, just buy coilovers.

Or just new springs? That would keep the suspension limits/angles the same (controlled by the shocks) . Thats what I would wait for, the sas/bl shocks are really good units for oem.

 

[bytheway]

That’s how it seems to be as an off-road noob. Ford and bilstein spend years engineering the suspension just to have it altered by a $100 worth of spacers to fit 2” bigger tires. I ponied up for the Sasquatch package to take advantage of a factory engineered solution. I could see changing out the wheels and tires but I’m not going to fool with the suspension geometry unless it’s an actual upgrade.

 

[L8apex]

Or just new springs? That would keep the suspension limits/angles the same (controlled by the shocks) . Thats what I would wait for, the sas/bl shocks are really good units for oem.

Well new springs, either taller or different spring rate, would change the resting position of the bilstein dampener, and they’re 3 zone position sensitive so you MAY make the ride worse.

Bilstein engineered them as a pair.

 

[Petey]

That’s how it seems to be as an off-road noob. Ford and bilstein spend years engineering the suspension just to have it altered by a $100 worth of spacers to fit 2” bigger tires. I ponied up for the Sasquatch package to take advantage of a factory engineered solution. I could see changing out the wheels and tires but I’m not going to fool with the suspension geometry unless it’s an actual upgrade.

The engineers are most likely working with the attorneys when it comes to decisions on lift of the vehicle. They could have lifted it more from the factory, but why put yourself in anymore of a position to get sued than needed?

Spacers limit your range on the suspension, it’s as simple as that. There is nothing wrong with that though. I just drove the Badlands with the stock 33” tires at the TX off-rodeo, and I can assure you it was just as capable as the sas packages.

 

[Werkedperformance]

Well new springs, either taller or different spring rate, would change the resting position of the bilstein dampener, and they’re 3 zone position sensitive so you MAY make the ride worse.

Bilstein engineered them as a pair.

This.

Expanding on @L8apex 's statement.....

The shock absorbers are designed around the factory ride height.
Altering this position of "rest" up by raising the truck with coil spacers or stiffer springs changes that reference point.
So if factory you had 2" of travel before hitting the "bumps" now you have 0" and are practically resting on the "bump" valving. The "bump" valving gives increased damping and would ride harsher normally.

 

[Last Ride Bronco]

I’m not a lift specialist, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn last night.

 

[Razorbak86]

While my popcorn is heating up:

You guys debate spring perch vs strut top spacers .....

Thanks, dude! I brought the beer. Scoot over a bit so we can squeeze @North7, @ZackDanger, @BAUS67, and @goatman in here, too.

Cheers, boys!

 

[Raptor911]

Does anyone really do body lifts anymore?

Just get coil-overs and stay away spacers above and below the oem shocks.

Coil-overs that provide over 3” of lift will start to stress the cv. At this point you will need to drop the front differential to level out the cv angle

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